Johor Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry director Lilis Saslinda Pornomo (middle) at the My Save Food @ Ramadan programme at Bazar Ramadan Taman Dahlia, Johor Baru.
JOHOR BARU: The Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry in Johor has assured the public that there will be sufficient cooking oil supply in the state for the upcoming Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations, despite concerns over shortages and price increases.
Johor director Lilis Saslinda Pornomo stated that the government is aware of past supply issues and has identified key factors contributing to the problem.
The government has decided to provide incentives for manufacturers and repackaging companies for three months from March until May this year to assist with rising operational costs.
"We understand the situation, and both the ministry and the government have determined that one of the main causes is the rising global price of crude palm oil (CPO)," she said during a press conference after launching the My Save Food @ Ramadan at Bazar Ramadan Taman Dahlia on Wednesday (March 12).
Due to these challenges, the minister has discussed the issue with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to explore providing special incentives for manufacturers and repackaging companies to manage their operational costs.
She reassured the people of Johor that there is no supply issue in the state.
"We have held meetings with three major refineries in Johor and engaged with large supermarkets to ensure proper distribution. There is no shortage of cooking oil here," she said.
Lilis also noted that the ministry, along with local enforcement authorities, will continuously monitor the supply to ensure market stability.
"Our enforcement teams will remain vigilant, and we urge the public to report any disruptions in supply so immediate action can be taken," she said.
On March 6, The Star reported that consumers in Johor Baru are feeling the strain of a cooking oil shortage, with many hoping the matter can be addressed before Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
In addition to ensuring a stable cooking oil supply, the ministry in Johor has identified eight Ramadan bazaars across the state to participate in the Bazar Ramadan Rahmah (BRR) initiative from March 2 to March 30.
Under this initiative, traders are voluntarily offering "Menu Rahmah" meals priced at RM5 or below to help ease the financial burden on the public.
"We will continue to advocate for this initiative, ensuring affordable meal options for the community," Lilis said.
Additionally, the ministry is expanding the Retail Sector Digitalisation Initiative (ReDI) by offering a total of RM9.63mil in e-wallet incentives for the BRR programme nationwide.
In Johor, traders offering Menu Rahmah will receive RM100 in e-wallet credits, while visitors to the participating bazaars can claim RM20 each.
"This initiative aims to promote cashless transactions among small traders and consumers, preparing society for a digital economy," she explained.
Regarding the programme, Lilis said it is a collaboration between the ministry, student consumer groups, and youth organisations. This initiative aims to reduce food waste by redistributing unsold yet edible food to the needy.
"Last year, this programme helped save over 650kg of food in Johor. This year, with the help of over 150 volunteers, we aim to further increase our impact by collecting surplus food from bazaars and distributing it to mosques, dormitories, and underprivileged communities," Lilis said.
She added that the programme aligns with Malaysia’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in reducing food waste by half by 2030 and achieving zero hunger.
